Toy vehicle

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle incorporating a frame having depending supports, there being forward and rearward transversely aligned bearing slots in said supports for receiving front and rear axles, which are freely rotatable therein. Each of said slots is inclined to the vertical for defining cams for allowing movement of said axles relative to said frame along a path having both a horizontal and a vertical component. Detent members provided on said frame for engaging each axle to inhibit movement of the same toward the opposite end of the frame when disposed transversely of the frame and serving as fulcrums for swinging of said axles to allow turning upon the application of force on the side of said frame to which the turn is to be made.

United States Patent 72] Inventors Charles H. Steuber;

Robert L. Cremer, both of Neosho, Mongolia; Jerry D. Wood, Plainfield,NJ. 21 Appl. No. 17,579 [22] Filed Mar. 9, 1970 [45] Patented Jan. 11,1972 [73] Assignee Buddy L Corporation New York, NY.

[54] TOY VEHICLE 6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 46/201 [51] ..A63hll/l0 [50] Field of Search 46/201, 202,221, 223

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,979,242 11/1934 Allen46/201 X 2,027,049 1/1936 Levy 46/201 2,216,497 10/1940 McHenry 46/2012,510,310 6/1950 Francis 46/201 2,838,875 6/1958 Hammond. 46/2013,005,285 10/1961 Girz 46/201 3,063,194 1 H1962 Berguerand 46/2013,205,616 9/1965 Nisperly 216/201 Primary Examiner- Louis G. ManceneAssistant Examiner-D. L. Weinhold AttorneyRalph W. Kalish ABSTRACT: Atoy vehicle incorporating a frame having depending supports, there beingforward and rearward transversely aligned hearing slots in said supportsfor receiving front and rear axles, which are freely rotatable therein.Each of said slots is inclined to the vertical for defining cams forallowing movement of said axles relative to said frame along a pathhaving both a horizontal and a vertical component. Detent membersprovided on said frame for engaging each axle to inhibit movement of thesame toward the opposite end of the frame when disposed transversely ofthe frame and serving as fulcrums for swinging of said axles to allowturning upon the application of force on the side of said frame to whichthe turn is to be made.

PATENTED m1 1 1912 3353330! SHEET 1 OF 2 FIG.| A

FIG.2 1.

INVENTORS CHARLES H. Srsuaen Roaem' L.CREMER JERRY D. wooo ATTORNEYPATENTED JAN} 1 i972 31633307 SHEET 2 OF 2 FIG. 5

FIGS

p F- 2 /3; 4 r7 /5\ 0/ FIG.7

/5 INVENTORS CHARLES H. STEUBER ROBERT LCREMER JERRY D. W000 BY c2 w KMATTORNEY TOY VEHICLE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates in general to toy vehicles and, more particularly, toa vehicle having a pressure-controlled steering system.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy vehicleadapted for dirigibility by the discriminate application of force uponthe vehicle frame so that steering may be easily effected by the userwithout resort to manipulation of the relatively complex control meanswhich have been heretofore incorporated in vehicles of this type.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toy vehicleincorporating axle bearings adapted forcamming relationship with theassociated axles to allow swinging of the same with relation to the mainframe for turning purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle ofthe type stated incorporating axle-engaging members for maintaining theprescribed relationship between the main frame of the axles both duringrectilinear and curvilinear travel, as well as to conduce to return ofthe vehicle to rectilinear movement after completion of a turningmovement.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide avehicle of the type stated which is economical in manufacture, beingcomprised of a marked simplicity of durable parts and hence beingresistant to breakdown despite the customarily heavy usage accorded suchvehicles by children.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle ofthe type stated which, through its novel steerability provides a sourceof fascination for young users, as well as endowing the vehicle withsubstantial play value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of atoy vehicle incorporating a steering system constructed in accordancewith and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 with theaxles shown in phantom lines in one turning position.

FIG. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 4- 4 of FIG.2.

FIG. 5 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIG.1 illustrating the wheels in a turned position relative to the frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by referencecharacters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. A generally designates a toy vehicle having abody 1, which may be of any selected design or character, but which forpurposes of illustration is shown as a pickup truck. Body 1 is suitablymounted upon a main frame 2 of unitary construction comprising aplatform or base 3 having depending side flanges or supports 4,5 which,for strengthening, may be coextensive with platform 3, and a rear flangeor skirt 6. As indicated, body 1 may be secured upon main frame 2 bysuitable means such as by fastener members (not shown) projectingthrough aligned openings (not shown) in said body 1 and portions of saidframe 2 or as by cooperating tabs and apertures, as suggested by tabs 7at the forward end of supports 4,5. It is, of course apparent, that, ifdesired, the body and frame could be unitarily made.

Formed in supports 4,5 are transversely aligned forward and rearwardbearing slots 9,9 and 10,10, respectively, which loosely receive frontand rear axles 11,12, respectively, so that the latter may turn freelytherein and may also move relatively reciprocally axially thereof incamming relationship thereto, as will be shown more fully hereinbelow.The laterally projecting, opposite end portions of axles 11,12 arejournaled within bearings 13,13 and 14,14, respectively, of front wheels15,15 and rear wheels 16,16, respectively.

Fixed to the underface of platform 3 and depending downwardly therefromare front and rear detents 17,18, respectively, for engaging axles11,12, respectively. Front detent 17 may be of angle configurationhaving a leg 19 rigid with the underface of platform 3 and aperpendicularily depending leg 20, the plane of which is preferablyaligned with the centerline of frame 2. The forward edge of said leg 20is provided with a laterally turned flange 21, the plane of which issubstantially in alignment with the transverse axis of said forwardslots 9,9. The length of leg 20 is such that the flange 21 is presentedso that its forward face will abut axle 11 for inhibiting movement ofthe same relatively rearwardly of frame 2 when in axial normalrelationship to the longitudinal axis of said frame 2.

Rear detent 18, which may incorporate a mounting web 22 for securementto the underface of platform 3, is provided with a pair of depending,parallel legs 23,23 located on opposite sides of, and preferablyequidistant from, the longitudinal centerline of frame 2. Each of saidlegs 23, 23 is provided on their rearwardly directed edges withlaterally turned flanges 24,24, the planes of which are in alignmentwith the transverse axis of rearward slots 10,10; said flanges 24,24being presented for abutting rear axle 12 on their rearwardly directedfaces so as to inhibit movement of said axle 12 forwardly of frame 2when its axis is transverse to said frame. The disposition of flanges24,24 provide an area of contact with axle 12 greater than that betweenfront axle l1 and the detent flange 21 As shown here and above, detents17,18 serve to resist the movement of the related axle toward theopposite end of frame 2. Said detents 17,18 are presented so that theirflanges are aligned with the transverse axis passing through the relatedslots. This disposition has been found desirable since it will permitrelative movement of the related axles an equal distance toward theopposite end of the related slots during turning, to be described below.However, the said detents 17,18 may be, if desired, altered withrelationship to the associated slots for controlling such axle movement.

Rearward slots 10,10, which in addition to providing a bearing for axle12, serve as cams and are inclined to the vertical for extensiondownwardly and rearwardly at an angle of approximately 45. Each slot10,10 is provided with opposed upper and lower parallel edges 25,26,respectively, which define cam-operating surfaces for engaging thereceived portion of axle 12, said latter thus relating thereto as a camfollower. Said edges 25,26 are continuous with interconnecting, roundedforward-upper and rearward-lower terminal edges 27,28, respectively;said former being thus located forwardly of detent flanges 24,24 (seeFIG. 4).

Front slots 9,9 are of like character as rear slots 10,10 in that thesame concurrently provide bearings for axle 11 and relate thereto in acamming manner. Said slots 9,9 also are inclined with respect to thevertical, extending downwardly and forwardly at substantially an angleof 45, with each being so related to the slot 10,10 on the same side offrame 2 that the projection of the longitudinal axes of such adjacentslots will intersect at a point upwardly of frame 2. Each slot 9,9 thuscomprises upper and lower parallel edges 29,30, which at their ends areinterconnected by rounded rearward-upper and forward-lower terminaledges 31,32, respectively; said former being located rearwardly of theproximate detent flange 21 (see FIG. 4). It will be observed that byreason of the reverse inclination, as it were, of the slots at the frontand rearward ends of said frame 2 and of the disposition of detents17,18, relative to the related axles 11,12, respectively, vehicle A maybe considered interchangeable end for end. However, as will be shownbelow, the dual character of detent 18 renders same operationallycritical at the rearward end of vehicle A.

In normal condition with axles 11,12 in mutual parallel relationship (asshown in full lines in FIG. 2) frame 2, through gravity, will be biaseddownwardly urging axles 11,12 relatively upwardly within the respectivebearing slots toward the upper ends 31,27 thereof. However, such forceis resisted by detents 17,18 which prevent relative movement of axles11,12 toward the upper ends of the associated slots, and thus restrainsaid axles in mutually parallel relationship, but wherein said axlesabut against the upper cam-operating surfaces defined by slot edges25,29.

In usage, with axles 11,12 extending transversely of vehicle A, thelatter when impelled as by a suitable pushing or pulling force will movein a rectilinear path. However, when it is desired to cause vehicle A toeffect a turn as to the right or left of the rectilinear path, vehicle Amay be steered by the application of a downwardly directed force, as bythe hand of the user, upon the side of vehicle A upon which the turn isto be effected. Such force, being eccentrically applied, will cause thepressure-receiving portion of frame 2 to be rocked downwardly resultingin the adjacent end portion of axle 11 being moved relatively upwardlyinto the rearward-upper end 31 of the related slot 9,9 as the case maybe, while the opposite side of frame 2 will be commensurately raisedwith the related end portion of axle 11 being brought into dispositionagainst the forward-lower end 32 (see FIGS. 2 and 7) of the proximateslot 9 or 9'. By the application of such eccentric force upon frame 2axle 11 is swung or pivoted within its horizontal plane out ofperpendicular relationship to the longitudinal axis of frame 2, withdetent flange 21 acting as a fulcrum, since the relative movement ofaxle 11 within slots 9,9 is dictated by the camming action. Thus, inswung condition axle 11 will extend between the opposite ends of theassociated slots 9,9. The swinging of axle l1 consequent to thedownwardly applied, eccentric force above described, will automaticallycause a relative swing of rear axle 12 with respect to frame 2, but in amanner opposite to that of axle 11 by reason of the fact that slots10,10 are upwardly inclined toward their forward ends. Thus, slots 10,10act cammingly upon axle 12 so as to direct the end thereof on theturning side to be moved relatively forwardly and on the opposite siderelatively rearwardly, all may best be seen in phantom lines in FIG. 2.Axle 12 is fulcrumed upon detent flanges 24,24. If the axes of axles11,12 while in swung condition were extended beyond the turning side offrame 2, the same would intersect at a point spacedly laterally of saidframe.

It has been found that under the particular applied force, vehicle Awill continue its turn for a predetermined travel increment and will beinherently restorable to rectilinear travel as rear axle 12 will tendthrough friction to return to transverse condition and into abutmentagainst detent flanges 24,24 which straightening condition, as it were,will effect a reaction on front axle 11 causing same to returninglyswing into transverse disposition with respect to frame 2. The fact thatdetent flanges 24,24 engage axle 12 at points laterally of the midpointthereof conduces to the restoration of axle 12 to transverse condition,and hence of vehicle A to rectilinear movement.

As may be more apparent from FIG. 3, forward slots 9,9 are of relativelygreater length than rearward slots 10,10 so that the arc of swing ofaxle 11 is greater than that of axle 12 to allow a greater turningmovement through the front wheels.

Thus, vehicle A is composed of a minimum number of parts which areextremely durable, and hence resistant to breakdown thereby conducing tolongevity despite the customary hard usage to which children subjectmobile toys. The dirigibility of vehicle A is easily controlled by theapplication of pressure upon the particular side to which the turn isdesired so that there is obviated resort to relatively delicate andcomplex steering devices which have been generally incorporated invehicles of this type.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to obtainby Letters Patent is:

l. A toy vehicle comprising a frame having depending supports, front andrear transversely aligned bearing slots formed in said supports, a frontaxle received within said front bearing slots and projecting laterallyoutwardly therebeyond, a rear axle received within said rear bearingslots and projecting laterally therebeyond, wheels mounted upon theprojecting portion of said axles, said forward bearing slots beinginclined to the vertical and each having a forward-lower and a rearward-upper end whereby said front axle will be relatively urged towardthe rearward-upper end of the related slots under the frame load, firstdetent means located substantially intermediate said support flanges forpreventing concurrent movement of the related portions of the front axletoward the upper-rearward end of the associated front bearing slots,said rear bearing slots being inclined to the vertical and each having arearward-lower and a forward-upper end, and second detent means locatedbetween said support flanges for preventing concurrent movement of therelated portions of said rearward axle toward the forward-upper end ofthe associated rear bearing slots.

2. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by thefront and rear bearing slots on each support being so related to eachother that a projection of their longitudinal axes will intersect at apoint in space upwardly of said frame.

3. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by saidfront bearing slots and said rear bearing slots having their major axispresented at an angle of 45.

4. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by saidsecond detent means comprising a pair of spaced-apart detents dependingfrom said frame, each of said detents having axle-engaging surfacesspaced apart transversely of said vehicle.

5. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by eachof said first and second detent means having an axle-engaging face, theplane of each face being aligned with the transverse axis of therespective front and rear bearing slots, each of said front and rearbearing slots having an edge engaging the related axle whereby upon theapplication of an eccentric downward force on said frame, the front andrear bearing slots on the side of the frame proximate the applied forcewill be moved relatively of the related axle to cause the front axle tobe moved toward the rearward-upper end of the front bearing slot and therear axle to be moved to tlne forward-upper end of the rear bearing slotwith simultaneous pivoting of the axles about the associated detentscausing the front and rear wheels on the side proximate the appliedforce to be moved toward each other, while the wheels on the oppositeside of said frame are being moved away from each other.

6. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 5 and further characterized by saidfront bearing slots having a length greater than the length of said rearbearing slots for allowing a relatively greater turning movement throughthe front wheels.

1. A toy vehicle comprising a frame having depending supports, front andrear transversely aligned bearing slots formed in said supports, a frontaxle received within said front bearing slots and projecting laterallyoutwardly therebeyond, a rear axle received within said rear bearingslots and projecting laterally therebeyond, wheels mounted upon theprojecting portion of said axles, said forward bearing slots beinginclined to the vertical and each having a forward-lower and arearward-upper end whereby said front axle will be relatively urgedtoward the rearwardupper end of the related slots under the frame load,first detent means located substantially intermediate said supportflanges for preventing concurrent movement of the related portions ofthe front axle toward the upper-rearward end of the associated frontbearing slots, said rear bearing slots being inclined to the verticaland each having a rearward-lower and a forward-upper end, and seconddetent means located between said support flanges for preventingconcurrent movement of the related portions of said rearward axle towardthe forward-upper end of the associated rear bearing slots.
 2. A toyvehicle as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by the front andrear bearing slots on each support being so related to each other that aprojection of their longitudinal axes will intersect at a point in spaceupwardly of said frame.
 3. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 1 andfurther characterized by said front bearing slots and said rear bearingslots having their major axis presented at an angle of 45*.
 4. A toyvehicle as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said seconddetent means comprising a pair of spaced-apart detents depending fromsaid frame, each of said detents having axle-engaging surfaces spacedapart transversely of said vehicle.
 5. A toy vehicle as defined in claim1 and further characterized by each of said first and second detentmeans having an axle-engaging face, the plane of each face being alignedwith the transverse axis of the respective front and rear bearing slots,each of said front and rear bearing slots having an eDge engaging therelated axle whereby upon the application of an eccentric downward forceon said frame, the front and rear bearing slots on the side of the frameproximate the applied force will be moved relatively of the related axleto cause the front axle to be moved toward the rearward-upper end of thefront bearing slot and the rear axle to be moved to the forward-upperend of the rear bearing slot with simultaneous pivoting of the axlesabout the associated detents causing the front and rear wheels on theside proximate the applied force to be moved toward each other, whilethe wheels on the opposite side of said frame are being moved away fromeach other.
 6. A toy vehicle as defined in claim 5 and furthercharacterized by said front bearing slots having a length greater thanthe length of said rear bearing slots for allowing a relatively greaterturning movement through the front wheels.